After Thanksgiving Trip

Ok since this was our first Thanksgiving in the states in some time, it was also our first Black Friday. So of course, I had to enjoy some of the shopping fun. Loni and I headed over to ToyRus to wait in a very long line for some great buys. I wasn't overly impressed with any of the adds, but as I looked at what else I needed to buy, I got everything I needed except 3 items! I was so excited! We got there about 1045 pm, finally entered the store about 1 am, and left about 230 am. I knew I had to drive the 10 hrs to Amy's the next morning. So I traded my spot with mom. Finally about 330 am I rolled in bed and at 630, Haylee woke me up to get going lol. So we got in the car and were on the rode. They watched 5 movies during the trip.

Some states have trees, and AZ has Cacti. They like to think they grow like trees though.
And Nevada has beautiful sunsets.

Thankfully, they are an hour behind us right now. Haylee was worried we wouldn't make it for dinner but we did. The kids were great. The drive was good. The visit was amazing! And the drive home went well. All in all, I was so glad to be getting away for a bit.

Thanksgiving

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This was our first thanksgiving back in the states in several years. How lucky we were to be near family. So we spent it with both of our families. In the morning, I got the ham cooked and desserts made and we all got to talk to Dave on the computer, then we headed off to Dave's family lunch. We ate about 11 there. Then when Laycee and Logan were beyond tired and getting grumpy, we headed home. Mom almost had dinner ready, Joe and Lynnae were over, so the kids got more time to play. Laycee and Logan however, went to bed. We ate, took the kids to the park and just enjoyed this great opportunity to be greatful, full of food, and full of love from our families!

Boredom

The day before Thanksgiving was a half day for the kids. Kevin decided we wanted to drive into town to go to lunch at Papa Kelsey's. I haven't been there in years, so we went. And as we were waiting on the food, he kids got bored.

Logan has the most attractive smile!
Kevin and Logan playing

I rarely get such a great smile from Trent. I love it!

So these two were just hungry, not bored.

I couldn't help but post cute pictures of the kids.

Trent's Thanksgiving Play

Trent had a thanksgiving show. I was so proud of him becuase he can be so shy! It may be hard to hear, sorry, but I hope you enjoy getting to see him. If you can't recognize him, he is in group two with the blue and yellow shirt.

Photo of the Day

As I was looking through my pictures for Christmas card ideas, I ran accross this one. I think I posted it as part of a slideshow, but I just love it! The kids are all looking and they are all smiling and there is not a tear or pouty face in the crowd. What a rarity! This was a great night with all of them. So pictured L-R Bottom: Brielle, Logan, Laycee Top: Brookyln, Haylee, Bryce, Trent

Days like these make me LOVE being near family!

Thankful

I am thankful for little boys. Do you even sit and think how quickly the time goes? You see that through all the hassle and failed attempts that one day, these boys will grow up to roudy teenagers and on to responsible fathers. I have huge guilt issues of "wasting" the time and fearful of one day looking back wishing I could hold my little boys again.

So at night, when I just want some peace and quiet, when I just want them all to be asleep, when I am mentally and physically exhausted... I am thankful for those moments when Logan says "want cuddles". As I tuck him in bed, and lay next to him, I get to enjoy that sweet moment. And then when Trent says, "mom can you tuck me in?", I am thankful for just one moment to bond with him (since he will always love his daddy first).
I hope to be able to look back at these pictures in the future and realize that not every moment was wasted and that they are then sharing these same moments with their sons.

Autumn Muffins

In effort to enjoy the thanksgiving season, mom and I worked together making "leaf" muffins. They were almond flavored muffins. Half the kids liked them and half of them didn't. I will post the recipe one day soon hopefully. But, even if they didn't want ot eat them, they enjoyed decorating them! Pictured Left front to back, right front to back... Haylee, Brooklyn, Logan, Bryce, Trent, Brielle and all the way in the back is Laycee.

Logan

Laycee

Grandma's Birthday

On Veteran's Day, the kids and I started off with doctor appointments. Thankfully mom came along to tend Haylee and Trent while I went in with Laycee and Logan. The doctor visits are always an annoying pain to me becuase there are always more tests to be done, but we do them becuase we love our children right? Then we went over to the Park and met up with Dave's family for Grandma's birthday party. We all chipped in and bought her a new dehydrator she was saving for. I missed the present opening, but apparently she was in love with it! Also, the kids were loving the cake, ice cream, cousins, and park! It was a great day... missed Dave but filled with love from our family.

Talking

Laycee is talking so much these days. These are moms and Kevins favorite things she says right now. "fiday is dance cass and ahhh cream" Enjoy!

More Dogs

Now, I am not much of an animal person, but you have to admit this is cute. Yuki and Momo cuddling... because Momo is always cold.

Thankful

So here is another thing I am thankful for. I have said a million times that I am thankful for Haylee. And each day, I feel more thanful than the day before. She is an amazing help to me, she is so pleasant, she is so loving and kind, she is a schedule nazi. And i just love love her! I feel sad to be watching her grow up before my eyes. But I can't wait to watch her grow into the young woman she is becoming. Next year she will be baptised, and I can't wait to watch her making her own choices. She is amazing!

Halloween

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Today I am just thankful I am able to post. It seems that there is always too much to do and not enough time. So, instead of studying, I am sitting here blogging. But, it is overdue. So, for Halloween, we went to the Ward Party and played for a bit. I volunteered to bring some chili so we had to stop it by for a little bit and then headed off to the annual Dave's family's party. This was the first year in 4 that we have been here for it, so that was exciting! And we brought a key booth... there they picked a key and if it opened the lock, they got a big candy bar. Otherwise they picked out of the little bucket. It was great funa dn seemed to be a big hit. There were fun booths. Carmel Apples from mom and dad, Bean bag toss, Toilet toss, little figure toss, golfing, ball toss, doughnuts on a string, and a haunted house. Oh I loved it! The kids had so much candy that this year the candy fairy gave them two days with their candy before he came and took it to all the kids who weren't able to trick or treat. It was a great evening and I was glad the kids had fun even though Dave wasn't here.

Thank You

To everyone who is or has served the country. There are many forms of service other than the military and today, I thank all of you. Especially my sweet husband who is serving "for the greater cause" and working to make America how the Lord intended it to be, without religious persecution. Happy Veterans Day!!!!

Thank you

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you", that would suffice~Meister Eckhart

So today as I have had to listen to yelling, screaming, fighting and crying caused by my sweet daughter and it is only 8 am. I am going to say thank you. Thank you that she is alive to cuddle in our arms, brighten our lives with laughter, touch our hearts with her charm and fill out minds with grief. I love Laycee.